Thursday, November 29, 2012

THE CHRISTMAS STORY BEGINS...

Today was a perfect day to enjoy the beginning of our Christmas story. We put up some decorations and we had a rain storm. It was very cold and windy outside and having the fires and candles lit, and the lamps on, added to the warmth and the anticipation of Christmas.

While we were nestled all snug in the Cottage not a creature was stirring, okay, maybe a mouse!

We had to have a jumping off place to start our decorating and we chose the kitchen.

Awhile back, after we had finished the kitchen remodel, one of my good friends, Barbara at 21 Rosemary Lane, commented that she was impressed and it helped make a decision for her to spruce (as she called it) up her kitchen. Well, then it was my time to become impressed. When she posted about her new buffalo check drapes and the black and white accents that she added, I thought that my carefully planned out scheme was definitely lacking. Then when the Farmer's Daughter of The Country Farm Home posted about her new kitchen/keeping room with the incredibly beautiful checkerboard floor that she and her hubby so painstakingly planned out and painted, it just sealed the deal that I had to go over and above what I had already done with a little help from my friends. Also, I remember reading in a decorating book by Alexandra Stoddard where she stated that every room in a house must have a bit of black in it. So I got busy and this is what I came up with. Nothing too drastic was done. I think I'm happier with the touches that were added, but I still can only hope to achieve the lovliness that those two talented ladies accomplished.

So here are the decorations for the first part of our Christmas story.

You will notice that I have used toys in an overall placement around the room. You will see this a lot during the course of our Christmas story. When Jake was born we fixed up a small sun porch as his room when he visited. At the time I was working, and a lot of my paycheck was spent on Ebay. Namely on toys for his little room. As in most things, I got slightly carried away and now that he is grown, I am hanging on to them in hopes that one day (in the far distant future) his children may enjoy them. Most are vintage, some are hand made, some have a permanent place on display in the Cottage, but most will be brought out at Christmas.

"Nursery magic is very strong and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise...understand."

"The Velveteen Rabbit"

I hope you enjoyed the beginning of our Christmas story. I will bring more as the decorating progresses, and I'd like to thank again the lovely ladies who inspire me always.

I love that you decorated with vintage toys. I've been buying a few here and there since my grandson was born. They look amazing! I've got to go back and see if I can add in some black accents, too. I think your collectibles make for a perfectly cozy kitchen.Hugs,Patti

Judy- I love your black and white touches and your vintage toys. I have to say that rabbit in the checked dress looks exactly like the ones I sold. Does it have long straight bloomers on by any chance? I could swear I made it!;>) Hope you had a great day. xo Diana

OMGosh Judy I love it!!! You put such a smile on my face you know!!! I love the black and white in your kitchen and am so flattered that you mentioned me in this post. Where did you find the buffalo check chair covers...or did you make them? And I love that you included a quote from the Velveteen Rabbit...that is one of my all time favorite children's books. Wonderful post Judy, I can't wait to see the rest of your holiday decorating!!!Have a wonderful Friday and thank you again for the shout out.XO Barbara

Hi Judy, I've just come over from Feathered Nest Fridays...and I must say, I love your cottage kitchen. I have a cottage kitchen. I've just this summer added black to my coloring in that room too. I haven't quite decided...but think, I may have OVER DONE IT. Maybe a curtain at the sink would break it up a bit. The thing about 'cottage' is; you just can't go wrong really. You have such a lovely kitchen and I'll be reading more here at Gold country Cottage!

Well I do think you under estimate yourself. Your kitchen is so pretty, and love the black and white accents. Loving the vintage toys too. I think you kitchen can stand with the best of them, we offer don't realize how good we are. Stand back, take a look, and be proud, very proud!

Hi Judy,Your Christmas story is getting off to a very nice start! I love using toys too, especially under the tree. I love your teddy in the car! Thank you for sharing your charming post with us at my HOME and have a beautiful weekend.

Hi Judy! I just got my internet back (again) and the first thing I did was check your blog--and was I surprised! You make me blush! Our black and white check floor was a big leap for me. I'm just lucky it turned out ok! I love the black and white touches in your kitchen! And, the Christmas decorations. It's all just lovely--so warm and comfy. I'd feel right at home there. You definitely know how to put things together. Can't wait to see the rest of your journey toward Christmas!Sending you a big hug and thanks,Dru

I just love your Christmas theme with the old toys. They are beautiful! And the pillow with Santa on I wish I had here, lol. He is adorable.Sorry I haven't answered your question about "busblicken". I haven't been well this week. Got a respiratory inflammation and now have medicine for it. Not something that I like. But my coughing is much better so I hope things will be back to normal next week!!"Busblick" means roguish look. She IS very roguish our dog, lol. I do hope you'll have a great weekend. I hope I'll manage to make a new post tomorrow - with English!!!Love Elzie

Hi Judy!I am oooing and ahhhhing right now! Your home is so warm and inviting. I love..love..love your big gingham checks. They really do add a special touch of country charm. Just look at your darling toys and it's wonderful that your son once played with them. How special and full of sentiment they all are...and, will be to your future grandchildren. Thank you for sharing the first chapter of your Christmas story.Blessings,Carolynn

Very pretty, Judy! I love your kitchen! Great touches of black. If we had stayed in our old house I would have liked to have done something similar. We were do for some kind of change, then found out we were transferring with my husband's job last year. Love your Christmas decor, especially how you incorporated it onto your counters.

OMG - I'm just in love with your kitchen - those touches are perfect ( and make me want to copy them badly ) I've been dying to change my floor our to a black and white checkerboard for awhile now!!! Love the curtain under the sink - and your decorations make your Kitchen look absolutely magical!Great great job Judy! Can't wait to see more in this series.Hugs,Suzan

So adorable! Love to see more country bloggers! Not everything needs to be WHITE! I am a new follower too!

I wanted to share with you my new blog, just opened this week.... http://www.brookekroeger.blogspot.com.... it will be for my vingage and digital work... including printables you might enjoy. I also have my home and garden site, http://www.creativecountrymom.blogspot.com. This week I am doing a look back to my spring garden.

Hope to be able to connect more in this new year. I am spending less time on Facebook and gave up twitter and everything else. A girl needs time to create, decorate and GARDEN ya know!

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About Me

Welcome to my little piece of Heaven, since the cottage is blue,we can say My Blue Heaven. My husband, Jerry, and I, live here with a big red dog, Buddy, and a little grey cat, Maggie. Since I was a little girl I always wanted to live in a beautiful Victorian but always had a modern home that we tried to make look like a Victorian. Until, that is, we were fortunate to find our "little" cottage in the Mother Lode area of Northern California.We've been "fixing" her up for the past 20 years and the minute we think we're done, we're not!
I'm trying my hand at this new (for me) experience of blogging. I hope you will be interested in sharing a part of our life with us, and enjoy the journey.
Judy